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Two-stage location system

Two-stage location system description/claims

I. Field

This application relates to a two-stage location system, method, and apparatus.

II. Background and Material Information

The location of objects, such as cars, trucks, trains, and even people, can be facilitated using radios equipped with Global Position System (GPS) equipment. For example, a truck may be equipped with a radio that transmits its current position determined using GPS. However, GPS equipment often provides location measurements without sufficient precision for locating an object. For example, if the GPS equipment is in a region with buildings, mountains, or other structures (e.g., such as in a dense urban area), multipath interference may result in imprecise location measurements. In addition, if the GPS equipment is not in view of a sufficient number of GPS satellites (e.g., four GPS satellites), the GPS equipment may provide imprecise location measurements. When GPS equipment is used indoors, it also suffers from precision problems. In situations where precise location measurements are desired, GPS may thus provide poor performance.

Assisted-GPS is an alternative to GPS. Assisted GPS describes a system where an outside source, such as an assistance server, helps a GPS receiver perform the tasks required to determine location. For example, a mobile phone may be equipped with a GPS engine for determining location. The GPS engine in the mobile phone may be “assisted” by an assistance server. The assistance server may use the public wireless network to provide the GPS-enabled mobile phone with information such as an initial location estimate and decoded GPS satellite information (e.g., ephemeris data and clock data). However, the assisted GPS approach is also susceptible to some of the problems mentioned above, such as multipath interference. As such, in situations where precise location measurements are desired, assisted GPS may also provide poor performance.

This application relates to a two-stage location system, method, and apparatus.

In one aspect, systems, methods, and apparatus may receive a first location from a first radio, the first radio providing a first location of the first radio; use the received first location to determine when to transmit an activation command from a portable locator to a second radio, the second radio coupled to the first radio; and receive at the portable locator a beacon signal transmitted to enable the portable locator to precisely locate the second radio and the coupled first radio.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features: receiving the received first location as a location determined from GPS (Global Positioning System); receiving the first location from a wireless device including a GPS (Global Positioning System) engine, the first location determined with information provided by an assistance server coupled to a wireless network and the wireless device; transmitting the beacon as a signal in an ISM (Industry, Scientific, and Medical) band; receiving an address of the second radio, the address being selectable and comprising one or more of the following: a media access control address and an electronic serial number (ESN); implementing a dormant state to conserve power at the second radio; sending a command from the portable locator to the second radio, the command activating a sound to assist in locating the second radio; using a directional antenna at the portable locator to facilitate location of the second radio; sending, from the portable locator, a second location of the second radio, when the second radio is precisely located by the portable locator; and mapping, at a computer, the first location and the second location, and tracking the first and second locations.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. Further features, variations, and/or advantages may be provided in addition to those set forth herein.

These and other aspects of the application will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary two-stage location system including a locator.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart for receiving a beacon that enables the locator to locate the second radio and a coupled first radio.

FIG. 3 illustrates another block diagram of a two-stage location system including a locator.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for sending commands from the locator to the second radio to facilitate location of the second radio and a coupled first radio.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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